Reception 

The Only Way Is Badger is a great book to show children how we can sometimes make mistakes and that is OK if we learn from them. The story follows badger who wants all the forest animals to be more badger and he lets the ones that can't be like a badger go because they're not like him.

The children's responses:

 'We are all different and beautiful.' 

  'God didn't want us all to be the same. He likes us being different.' 

' It makes me happy when I play with someone who likes playing with different things and games.'

Amazing Grace

A touching and beautiful picture book about being true to yourself and not letting anyone hold you back. This is the perfect story for children everywhere to remind them to be themselves no matter what the world tells you. 

'We are good at different things...if we practise something we get good at it.' 

'I like making cars out of the mobilo. My cars have lots of wheels. I'm going to make fast cars when I grow up,' 

'My brother likes dancing.' 
 

What If We Were All The Same!

What If We Were All The Same! embraces all of our beautiful differences. Aimed to help children understand there are many great reasons for being friends with those who are different than they are. Whether they have red hair or brown hair, green eyes or blue eyes, long legs or short legs, light skin or dark skin, glasses, uses a wheelchair or anything else, it's absolutely OKAY! Our differences are what makes us unique, and if we genuinely think about it, would you want to be the same as someone else. We can be friends with everyone! 

'I like having lots of friends. My friends are a bit like me but a bit like themselves too.' 

'It’s a wrong choice to not be someone's friend because they don't have the same colour hair and skin.' 

Spring term 

This term we have looked at the book 'Coming to England' by Florella Benjamin. The children in Year 1 have been looking at how she may have felt when coming to England and going to a new school. 

Our wonderful office staff dressed up to celebrate the Sikh holiday, the birth of the Guru Granth on Tuesday 20th October. Thank you to Mrs Birdi who visited classrooms to tell children all about Sikh traditions. #Diversity #Learningfromothers

Year 2 

Year 2 enjoyed discussing this powerful book all about a girl wearing a hijab at school for the first time. The children were inspired by Asiya’s inner strength when dealing with discrimination and understood the importance of being proud of who you are!

Year 3

Year 3 enjoyed reading ‘Henry’s Freedom Box’ which tells the story of 19th century Virginia slave Henry Brown, who mailed himself to friends in Philadelphia where he escaped to freedom. We were amazed by the powerful illustrations throughout the book.

Spring Term 

Year Three have thoroughly enjoyed reading 'Hidden Figures,' a non- fiction text.  At home and in school, we enjoyed learning all about NACA and NASA. We learned about Dorothy Vaughan, Katherine Johnson, Christine Darden and Mary Jackson, four incredible mathematicians. 

Each day on our Zoom call, we had great fun learning all about their incredible work. We were saddened to learn about the segregation they faced because of their gender and skin colour.

Their determination, resilience and endurance taught us that with a strong mindset, we can achieve anything! 

Year 4

In Year 4, we had some great discussion about equality, boldness and standing up for what you believe in today. We have been inspired by some of the women in our key text and we are looking forward to learning more about them next week.

In Year 4, we have been using the book 'Bold Women in Black History' by Vashti Harrison, to learn about some amazing black women who challenged social prejudices and broke down racial barriers. We then used this new knowledge to write to the Prime Minister to persuade him to include Black History in our National Curriculum. Here is some of our work. 

Year 4 enjoyed learning about Benjamin Zephaniah today, an inspirational poet and writer from Birmingham. Follow this link to listen to his poem, ‘People need people!’

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1suwnlmBlao&app=desktop 

Year 6

During Black History Month, Year Six researched racism in football and the case of Anthony Walker. After reading the shocking facts, Year Six have written letters to Boris Johnson and emotive speeches about the importance of eradicating racism.  Please follow the link, to hear our emotive speeches.

https://st-albans-catholic-primary-school-birmingham.primarysite.media/playlist/year-six

Spring Term Two

Year Six enjoyed learning about Mo Farah's life and achievements.